Skip to main content

Couscous with Spiced Zucchini

Image may contain Plant Bowl and Food
Couscous with Spiced Zucchini Romulo Yanes
  • Active Time

    25 min

  • Total Time

    25 min

Ingredients

Makes 4 to 6 side-dish servings

1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup plain couscous
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, finely chopped
1 lb zucchini, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
3/4 teaspoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  1. Step 1

    Bring broth with 1/4 teaspoon salt just to a boil in a small saucepan, then pour over couscous in a bowl and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside until ready to use.

    Step 2

    Meanwhile, heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion with 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and sauté, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add zucchini and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and sauté, stirring occasionally, until just tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderately low, then stir in coriander, chili powder, cumin, and pepper and cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Gently stir zucchini mixture into couscous and cool to warm or room temperature. Just before serving, stir in mint and lemon juice.

Sign InorSubscribe
to leave a Rating or Review

How would you rate Couscous with Spiced Zucchini?

Leave a Review

Reviews (39)

Back to Top Triangle
  • I doubled the spices and halved the zucchini and served it with peri peri prawns. It was delicious.

    • sgennrich

    • Stamford, CT

    • 11/11/2017

  • I made this dish per the recipe and I really liked it.

    • pmsakamoto

    • San Jose, CA

    • 10/8/2016

  • I wanted to make this vegetarian so I used veggie stock. At the end, I skipped the mint but added some spring onions (just the green part; I brifly sauteed the rest with the onion) and fresh cilantro that I happened to have in the fridge, and I used fresh lime juice instead of lemon (and added more of it). It was a delicious side dish for falafels and I will definitely make this again.

    • nevana

    • The Netherlands

    • 5/18/2015

  • I followed the reviewers' suggestions of doubling the spices. I would not make this again because I felt like something was missing. It tasted like straight cumin and coriander, missing a component that tied everything together.

    • JaneCookieDoe

    • Brooklyn

    • 3/15/2015

  • 美味!使用腺泡面(或可以用米粒)s I did not have couscous on hand. Used a little less oil and tripled the spices, except the chili powder, and still was not too spicy.

    • AmyMail

    • Vermont

    • 8/6/2014

  • This is quick and easy, although I like to saute the zucchini for about 10 min till it's really soft and sweet. My 7 month old LOVED it. Like many others I doubled the spices and I omitted the mint . I also left out the lemon juice by accident and didn't miss it at all.

    • Anonymous

    • New York, NY

    • 5/13/2013

  • Great idea for a side dish or lunch snack served cold. So delicious. Agree that spices should be doubled and I also did without the mint, which is merely personal preference. Also did not add anywhere near as much salt (do not like to cook with too much salt) and feel it made no difference as the spices, onion and garlic add plenty of flavour. My plan is now to cook a big batch on a Sunday evening and that's my lunch sorted for the next few days!

    • JoCann

    • UK

    • 4/27/2012

  • very good, easy, and tasty! Will make again and again.

    • sophigirl

    • 7/9/2011

  • Wonderful for lunch!

    • Cinz22

    • Montreal

    • 3/30/2010

  • Definitely double the spices! I made chicken soup from scratch and used the extra broth and added leftover chicken. Phenomenal!

    • elenafinney

    • West Hollywood, CA

    • 10/29/2009

  • As suggested by others I doubled the spices, and omitted the mint. I also added some feta cheese to make it a little more substantial to bring to work for lunch. Very good, I will definitely make it again.

    • susancern

    • salinas, ca

    • 7/12/2009

  • I doubled the spices on this yummy recipe and left out the mint. It is very subtle, despite a rather large quantity of spices. The onions give it a warm sweetness that is really nice. And it is very inexpensive to make with summer squash.

    • jsnorman

    • Norman, OK

    • 6/21/2009

  • i dislike the flavor of cumin but this was good anyway. it tastes very woodsy and earthy.

    • fireburnscolder

    • 6/16/2009

  • This dish was fast & easy to make and really good to eat. I followed other reviewers' suggestions and doubled the spices. The result was a very flavorful couscous with just the right amount of spice. I used a mix of mint, parsley and cilantro instead of just mint. I topped it with grilled merguez sausages and served it as a main course.

    • Anonymous

    • 6/5/2009

  • Loved this dish! I doubled the spices as other reviews suggested and thought the flavors were perfect; however I may use a pinch less chili powder and/or pepper next time as I felt the heat was a bit much. I decided to make this a main dish, so I tossed in some BBQ chicken that was in my fridge. Since already cooked, I added the chicken at the same time as the spices. This was a wonderful meal, and super quick and easy to make. I will definitely be making this again!

    • mary84

    • San Jose, CA

    • 6/2/2009

Read More
Masala Skillet Scramble
Meet your new favorite, a cumin-and-jalapeño-spiked take on scrambled eggs. Enjoy them straight out of the skillet or stuff them into tacos.
Tofu and Green Pea Curry
A heavily spiced sauce and pops of green peas makes bland tofu a distant memory. Easy to veganize (just skip the butter), this curry is an excellent make-ahead meal.
Yogurt-Marinated Chicken With Hot Honey and Herbs
Tenderizing yogurt makes the perfect marinade for grilled bone-in chicken thighs, which get even more flavor from chile-infused honey.
Seared Salmon Paka
Quickly seared salmon takes a bath in silky, aromatic coconut curry in this inspired take on East African machi paka.
Coconutty Beans and Greens Stew
Canned beans get a full-on makeover in this creamy, coconutty, spiced stew fortified with Swiss chard and sweet potato—perfect for cold winter days.
Beef and White Bean Stew With Cumin
This homey one-pot stew boasts a short ingredient list but tons of complex flavors, built over three hours in a mostly hands-off braise.
Tomato and Egg “Shakshuka”
Tomato and egg, a classic Chinese dish packed with sweet and umami flavors, is combined with shakshuka for easy brunch or dinnertime showstopper.
Mala Xiang Guo (Mala Dry Pot)
Mala dry pot may be hot pot’s soupless cousin, but don’t mistake this lack of soup for lack of flavor.